Cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled and continuous division of cells. Identifying specific biomarkers for tumor treatment has become increasingly important, particularly with the discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Various biochemical signaling pathways contribute to cancer development, and one critical pathway is the Notch signaling pathway.

This study applies advanced bioinformatics approaches to analyze transcriptome and clinical data from nine tumor types in TCGA, focusing on two main goals: identifying biomarkers linking Notch signaling to carcinogenesis and exploring the potential of drug repositioning to target this pathway.

The results reveal CA4, CFD, DPT, FHL1, TMEM100, TMEM132A, and VEGFD as critical biomarkers associated with Notch signaling in tumorigenesis. In particular, dorsomorphin dihydrochloride was successfully repositioned as a drug targeting pan-cancer Notch biomarkers, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for cancers influenced by this pathway.

This study highlights the significant role of drug repositioning, demonstrating how existing drugs can be repurposed to target key biomarkers like those involved in Notch signaling. In precision medicine, these biomarkers, combined with repositioned drugs like dorsomorphin dihydrochloride, hold the potential to revolutionize patient-specific therapies, reducing both the time and cost of developing new treatments.